An online journal of Mannie Gentile, a National Park Service Park Ranger working on the National Mall in our nation's capital.
DISCLAIMER: please note that this blog represents only my views and not those of the National Park Service.
Feel free to email me at: museumofamerica@myactv.net

Wednesday, February 08, 2012

Foggy Thinking at Burnside Bridge

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War is a very simple thing - made up of hundreds of complicated things.Carl von Clausewitz

Odd.

Most artists, far too many historians, and all nine-year old boys insist Ambrose Burnside was fixated on the bridge.

Oh, would that wars were fought by the armchair analysts.

Burnside, knowing the bridge was a bottleneck sent his main attack, in two divisions, upstream and downstream. The downstream attempt by Rodman was successful. Finding a ford a mile and a quarter from the bridge, Rodman got his division across and came boiling up on the Confederate flank, compromising the rebel position and allowing the bridge to fall into Union hands.

The war is so simple when explained by artists, too many historians, and all nine-year-old boys.

I recall standing by the Great Civil War Sandwich Column (AKA the Monument to William McKinley) with a small group of Army officers on a staff ride when a group came off of a tour bus. As we were discussing the tactical situation and the Union flanking movement, I overheard their "tour guide" explain how the 50th NYVI and 50th PAVI "won the day despite Burnsdies blunder."

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I'm a Park Ranger on the National Mall in Washington DC. I'm very proud and fortunate to be working at such a significant place and to be sharing this magnificent resource with visitors from around the world.

About Mannie

I'm fortunate to have married the love of my life. In that, I am a very lucky fellow. Otherwise I live in Washington County in western Maryland in a little house on the shoulder of South Mountain.
Other stuff from me here: http://manniesartimitateslife.blogspot.com/